Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will take the roll. >> Chair Fyberg, yes. >> Fyberg, I. >> Chair Quam, very reluctantly, yes
• A roll call has been requested.<00:46:15.359><c> The</c><00:46:15.599><c> clerk</c><00:46:15.760><c>
• The clerk will take the role. requested. The clerk will take the role.
• We're finding that, uh, what we've heard from clerks and county auditors repeatedly is, thanks so much
• Um, we're finding that, uh, what we've heard from clerks and county auditors repeatedly is, thanks so

Bills: HF3698, HF4243, HF4239, HF4241, HF4242, HF4240

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Harris here. Vice Chair Martinez. Ashby to be here.
• You can give those to the, the assistant clerk Thank you so much. The Chair calls Charlie. Flatten.

Bills: HB 5208, SB 863, SB 1243, SB 1624, SB 1965, SB 2660, SB 2702, SB 2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Harris? Here. Vice Chair Martinez? Here. Ashby?
• You bet, you can give those to the assistant clerk. Thank you so much.

Bills: HB5208, SB863, SB1243, SB1624, SB1965, SB2660, SB2702, SB2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton here. You know who said Good morning.
• directly responsible for a person under guardianship, shift the responsibility of determining who clerk
• The duty of the clerk to run background checks on people that are coming out of prison 12 days is the
• duty of the clerk that created last session.
• However, there was not a mechanism for the clerk to see that information to be able to run those checks

Bills: SB66, SB2165, SB2342, SB2878, SB2903

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, Texas Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child welfare, foster care, substitute care, missing child, missing from placement, permanency hearing, parent-child relationship, SAPCR, conservatorship

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, let's read the resolution, Clerk, let's read the resolution, Clerk, let's read the resolution,
• Clerk one lock adoption of the BR. Clerk one lock adoption of the BR. Clerk one lock machine.
• Clerk, call next bill. Clerk, call next bill. Clerk, call next bill.
• Clerk, call. Next bill. work. Clerk, call. Next bill. work. Clerk, call. Next bill.
• Clerk on lock machine. amendment. Clerk on lock machine. amendment. Clerk on lock machine.

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• Following resolution, the clerk will read the resolution.
• HB 12, the clerk will read the bill.
• The clerk will read the bill.
• The clerk will read the bill.
• The clerk will read the bill.

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB147, HB1522, HB422, HB675, HB204, HB748, HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Bills: SB14, SB217, SB586, SB856, SCR12, SCR24, SB 14

Keywords: regulatory reform, state agencies, efficiency, rulemaking, judicial review, SB 217, Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program, Texas Historical Commission, Freedmen's cemetery, freed slave burial site, cemetery designation, historic cemetery, African American history, Black cemetery, burial grounds, cemetery preservation, historical marker, medallion, property owner notice, adjacent landowners

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will call the roll. Senate Bill 683, clerk will call the roll. Excuse me.
• Clerk, call the roll. Senator Gillespie, aye. Gullar, Hamilton, aye.
• Clerk will call the roll. Senator Gillespie: Aye. Gollihare: Aye.
• Clerk will call the roll. Senator Sacchieri. I expected questions.
• Clerk will call the roll. The vote will now occur on Senate Bill 2158. Clerk will call the roll.

Bills: SB683, SB1579, SB1389, SB1387, SB1390, SB1391, SB2063, SB1829, SB2060, SB1842, SB1398, SB1212, SB2158, SB102

Keywords: education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee considered a long series of bills, many dealing with tax credits, property taxes, and tax administration. Early action included Senate Bill 1579, which creates a taxpayer bill of rights for ad valorem tax assessments by sending taxpayers a plain-language notice of existing rights; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 683, as amended, expanded the parental choice tax credit to cover certain supplemental educational services for private-school students, including tutoring and summer learning programs, but drew concerns about broad language and unequal treatment of public-school students; it passed 8-3 with one member not voting. Senate Bill 1389 proposed a $25 million increase in the parental choice tax credit cap; supporters said the program is nearing its limit and should grow gradually, while opponents cited lack of outcomes data and benefits flowing disproportionately to higher-income families and metro counties. It passed 10-2. The committee also advanced several tax and property-related measures. Senate Bill 1387 would allow a sales tax refund when a vehicle is sold within six months of a purchase, even without a trade-in, and passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1390 extended and removed a cap on funding for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and related agencies, passing unanimously. Senate Bill 2063 would require the State Treasurer to publish more information about unclaimed property online; the Treasurer’s office opposed it over privacy and burden concerns, but the bill passed 7-3. Senate Bill 1829 reduced the motor vehicle excise tax on manufactured homes to align more closely with the tax burden on traditional homes, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1842 would let county treasurers offer a 12-month installment prepayment plan for ad valorem taxes; it passed 9-1. Several other bills were debated on policy and accountability grounds. Senate Bill 1391 would require private schools participating in the parental choice tax credit to administer state tests and report results; supporters framed it as accountability for public tax dollars, while opponents argued it would undermine private-school autonomy and school-choice goals. It failed 5-7. Senate Bill 1398 created a capped tax credit for donations to certain nonprofits serving foster care, pregnancy resource centers, therapeutic care, and anti-trafficking efforts; members asked for clearer outcome measures, but it passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1212, addressing selective property appraisals in some counties, passed 9-1. Senate Bill 2158 would extend favorable tax treatment to health care sharing ministry contributions, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 102 clarified when remote workers and certain short-term workers owe Oklahoma income tax, with discussion focused on athletes, entertainers, public figures, and contract workers; it passed 10-0. Finally, Senate Bill 2060, a governor-requested housing infrastructure bill creating master development districts, was still being refined but passed 6-4 to keep it moving forward.

Bills: HB41, HB149, SB230, SB87, SB169, SB238, SB233, HB72, HB41, HB149, SB230, SB87, SB169, SB238, SB233, HB72

Keywords: sexual offenses, penalties, rape, sodomy, criminal justice, Judicial Branch, Alabama State Bar, legal profession, commissioners, government agency, campaign finance, security measures, candidates, elected officials, legislative protection, civil procedure, statute of limitations, real estate appraisers, legal complaints, appraisal board

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton, Hinojosa, Middleton, Johnson, Hughes. Thank you.

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton, Hinojosa, Middleton, Johnson, Hughes. Here.
• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton? Hinojosa? Aye. Middleton? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Hughes?
• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton? Hinojosa? Aye. Middleton? Aye. Johnson? Aye.
• Will the clerk call the roll? Hinojosa? Aye. Middleton? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Hughes? Aye.
• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton? Hinojosa? Middleton? Johnson? Hughes? Aye.

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation that it do pass and be printed 1734 will the clerk call the roll.
• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton. Hinojosa Middleton, Johnson, Hughes.
• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton, Hinojosa, Middleton, Johnson, Hughes.
• Will the clerk call the roll? Creighton, Hinojosa, Middleton.
• Clerk will call the roll. Creighton. Hinojosa, Middleton, Johnson, Hughesy.

Bills: HB 1193, HB 2495, HB 2733, HB 3104, HB 3395, HB 4325, SB 3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• And the clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Aye. Vice Chair Malani? Aye. Alders? Davis?
• The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Hinojosa? Hunter? Lopez? Morgan? Virdell?
• The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Aye. Vice Chair Malani? Aye. Morgan, Goodell.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Aye. Vice Chair Lalani? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Aye.

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll. Aye. Vice Chair Lalani? Aye. Aldous? Aye. Davis? Hinojosa? No.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Aye. Vice Chair Lalani? Aye. Aye. Davis? Aye.
• With the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, the clerk will call the roll.
• Clerk O'Neill, thank you. Thank you.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Aye. Vice Chair Lalani? Aye. Aldous? Aye. Davis?

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will call the roll. Senator Hall. Present. Senator Hinojosa. Present. Senator Cook. Here.
• The clerk will call the roll. Senator Hall. Aye. Vice Chair Hinojosa. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Senator Hall. Aye. Senator Hinojosa. Senator Menendez.
• The clerk will call the roll. Senator Hall? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye. Senator Cook? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Senator Hall. Aye. Senator Hinojosa.

Bills: SB2232, SCR1, SCR6, SCR15, SCR27, SCR32

Keywords: Unplug Texas Day, digital detox, family activities, outdoor recreation, community engagement, crossing guard, school crossing guard, crosswalk safety, school safety, student pedestrian safety, traffic safety, elementary school, campus safety, pedestrian awareness, bicycle safety, traffic regulations, commemorative resolution, appreciation day, Texas Legislature, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, call the roll.
• Clerk will call the roll.
• Clerk will call the roll.
• Clerk will call the roll.
• Clerk of coloro.

Bills: SB683, SB1579, SB1389, SB1387, SB1390, SB1391, SB2063, SB1829, SB2060, SB1842, SB1398, SB1212, SB2158, SB102

Keywords: education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, will you call the roll? Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Aye. Senator Huffman? Aye.
• In 2007, which was requested by the County Clerk and District Clerks Association, would modernize the

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Senator Hinojosa?
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Senator Hinojosa?

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores: Aye. Vice Chair Parker. Senator Hinojosa: Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores: Aye. Vice Chair Parker. Senator Hinojosa: Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores: Aye. Vice Chair Parker. Senator Hinojosa: Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores: Aye. Vice Chair Parker. Senator Hinojosa: Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores: Aye. Vice Chair Parker. Senator Hinojosa: Aye.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard testimony on several bills dealing with criminal discovery, crime lab access, controlled substances, community supervision, interference with officers, oilfield theft, and copper theft. On SB 1124, witnesses split over whether the bill clarified discovery law after the Heath decision or rolled back the Michael Morton Act; opponents argued it narrowed disclosure and shifted responsibility away from prosecutors, while supporters said it restored balance, limited harsh sanctions, and preserved exculpatory-disclosure duties. The committee later voted 4-0 to report SB 1124 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and later reported favorably SB 1372, which resolves a statutory conflict over access to the DPS crime lab portal, and SB 1936, which changes how LSD “abuse units” are defined for testing and charging purposes; both were sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1937, which would require a subject-matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence, was also reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 552, which would make people defined in the bill as “illegal aliens” ineligible for judge-ordered or jury-recommended community supervision, including deferred adjudication. Supporters said the bill would prevent state-funded early release of people who entered or remained in the country unlawfully, while county officials and immigration advocates warned it would be overbroad, difficult to administer, and costly to local jails and taxpayers. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to report SB 552 favorably, and Senator Huffman requested it be taken to the floor. On SB 1208, which increases interference with a peace officer or public official from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony, law enforcement witnesses said repeat “auditors” and similar actors were creating dangerous confrontations and needed stronger deterrence; opponents argued the bill would chill protected filming and protest activity. The committee voted to report SB 1208 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took testimony on SB 1806, a committee substitute addressing oilfield theft and related crimes. Supporters from law enforcement and the oil and gas industry said organized theft of crude, equipment, and related materials is a growing problem and that the bill would strengthen penalties, allow seizure and sale of stolen product, and improve inspection and forensic tools. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with placement on the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 1646, which targets copper theft and fiber vandalism by increasing penalties, requiring reporting and recordkeeping for certain purchases, and adding training and enforcement tools. Telecommunications, law enforcement, and emergency-network witnesses supported the bill as necessary to protect 9-1-1 and critical infrastructure, while metal recyclers warned the bill could overregulate legitimate businesses and sweep too broadly. The committee later voted to report the committee substitute for SB 1646 favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, call the roll. Chair Flores present. Vice Chair Parker present. Senator Hinojosa present.
• Clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores: aye.
• The clerk will call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Senator Hinojosa?
• Clerk, call the roll. Chair Flores? Aye. Vice Chair Parker? Aye. Senator Hinojosa? Aye.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.